09
May

Developing Partnerships

“Stephen Lindley, Vice President, Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, SNC-Lavalin talks with Craig Wilson, President, OS Micro Trends on lessons learned in developing partnerships”

Stephen Lindley: Developing Partnerships from Idea Connector.net on Vimeo.

source: ideaconnector.net

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04
Apr

Partnership between Northern College and Queens University

“TIMMINS, ON: Northern College is proud to announce a new partnership with the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. This agreement initiates collaboration between the two institutions and aims at establishing an accredited Mining Engineering Degree program offered at Northern’s Porcupine Campus.

Queen’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science has a national reputation as a leader in innovative educational initiatives. Through its internationally renowned programs in geological sciences, geological engineering, civil and mining engineering, Queen’s University is known for its commitment to the resource sector. The Robert M. Buchan Department of Mining is one of the largest and most respected mining departments in North America. The Queen’s mining engineering program has a reputation for excellence and its alumni have shaped the Canadian mineral sector for nearly 120 years.
(more…)

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05
Dec

Baffinland Mary River Project Clears Key Hurdle

OTTAWA, ONTARIO (December 3rd, 2012) – The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, MP for Nunavut, Minister of Health, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Minister for the Arctic Council, today commented on the federal approval of the Baffinland Mary River Project, based on the recommendation of the Nunavut Impact Review Board.

“Canada’s North is home to world-class natural resources representing a tremendous economic opportunity,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “The Mary River iron ore project has undergone a thorough review to ensure that it will be developed in a sustainable manner, allowing generations of Canadians to benefit from the jobs and economic growth it will generate.”

“Our Government recognizes the significant economic opportunities that mining development brings to Nunavut,” she added. “CanNor’s Northern Projects Management Office has played a fundamental role in bringing timeliness and effectiveness to the regulatory process for the Mary River iron ore project, which has huge potential to create thousands of jobs and bring long-term growth to Nunavut.”

The Mary River project is owned and operated by Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation which is jointly owned by ArcelorMittal and Iron Ore Holdings L.P. The project is situated on north Baffin Island, 160 kilometres south of Pond Inlet, Nunavut.

“Minister Duncan’s approval is an important and significant milestone in advancing the Mary River Project”, said Okalik Eegeesiak, President of the Qikiqtani Inuit Association. ”The NIRB process was the first step in collaboration with Inuit and industry to ensure the plans for the project were thoroughly reviewed”, Eegeesiak added. ”The QIA looks forward to working with all parties to bring the socio-economic benefits to Inuit and our communities.”

The project now moves into the project certificate phase, led by the Nunavut Impact Review Board (NIRB).

The project proposal involves conventional open-pit mining of iron ore at a rate of 18 million tonnes per year over a projected 21-year lifespan, and an initial investment of more than $4 billion for the construction of a road, a railway, a deep-water port and mine site infrastructure. Project employment is estimated to create thousands of jobs during the construction and operation phase.

The project was approved by the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, with concurrence from responsible Ministers for this project, including the Ministers of Environment, Fisheries and Oceans, Natural Resources and Transport Canada.

For more information visit:
baffinland.com

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22
Oct

Wequedong Lodge Celebrates Grand Opening of 110-Bed Facility in Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay, Ontario October 18, 2012 – Wequedong Lodge in partnership with Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services (OAHS) and the Government of Ontario gathered at 435 Balmoral Street today to celebrate the Grand Opening of their 110 bed facility.

Charles Morris, Wequedong Lodge Executive Director, says, “Today, we are here to celebrate the opening of Wequedong Lodge’s new building, which is in no small part to the efforts of many people. Recognition is due to the Lodge’s Board of Directors, many of whom have been with the Lodge since the mid-1990’s, to Ontario Aboriginal Housing Services and to the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation for their grant contributions, to the Credit Union Consortium for their financing, and to those employees who partook in the dream to strive for a single building operation.” (more…)

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10
Oct

Makivik reaffirms investment in First Air, Dolinki announces resignation

October 3, 2012 – Kuujjuaq, Quebec:  Makivik Corporation today affirmed its continued support and renewed commitment to its investment in First Air.  After a rigorous review of its strategic options, the Board confirmed its decision to retain full ownership of this important investment. The Board also reaffirmed its commitment to First Air’s strategic joint ventures with Sakku First Aviation Limited and Qikiqtani First Aviation Limited.

First Air also announced the resignation of President and CEO Kris Dolinki effective October 12, 2012. Mr. Dolinki has cited his desire to spend more time with his young family and personal reasons for his departure. Mr. Dolinki was appointed President in December 2011 following the departure of his predecessor. (more…)

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16
Jul

A CHOSEN JOURNEY – BUILDING PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY: RBC ABORIGINAL PARTNERSHIP REPORT

TORONTO, July 16, 2012 — Ahead of tomorrow’s Assembly of First Nations Annual General Assembly, RBC today released its fourth edition of A Chosen Journey: RBC Aboriginal Partnership Report.

“This report features stories of initiatives that indigenous peoples have undertaken in communities across the country. We are proud partners in these programs,” said Chinyere Eni, national director, Aboriginal Markets, RBC Royal Bank. “We share the passion of First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders across the country who continue to work to secure a sustainable future for their communities.”

British Columbia’s Lax Kw’alaams First Nation is just one example of an Aboriginal community that has endured hardship but was able to move forward. A decade ago, this band was close to bankruptcy and coping with lack of proper housing. Today, the band is financially sound and the community has been revitalized. Lax Kw’alaams band manager Wayne Drury shares credit with RBC, which helped the band launch an innovative on-reserve housing program.

“RBC makes our business personal and our community’s success their passion,” said Drury.

Other highlights from the report include:

• Economy: Banking, Financing and Investments – Saskatchewan’s Kawacatoose First Nation was recovering from major flooding when a tornado hit in 2010 and destroyed homes. Further flooding and a fire damaged more homes and roads in 2011. RBC provided disaster relief assistance, funding to support temporary housing and bridge financing to enable the band to begin rebuilding homes.

• Community: Social Development – Aboriginal filmmaker and RBC Emerging Award Winner Adam Garnet Jones plans on putting his $7,500 award towards the creation of his latest project, a feature film called Wild Medicine about an aboriginal teenager dealing with issues of isolation and suicide.

• People: Employment, Education and Training – The RBC Aboriginal Summer Internship Program (RBC ASIP) helps students like Kasandra Flett, a Red River College student from Manitoba entering her second year as an RBC ASIP intern, gain skills and experience over three summers as a Customer Service Representative and Account Manager. She has the opportunity to be offered a full-time position upon graduation.

• Procurement: Supplier Opportunities – Aboriginal-owned engineering and environmental solutions company, Neegan Burnside Ltd., is a member of the Canadian Aboriginal and Minority Supplier Council. Through RBC’s work with the industry-led council, Neegan Burnside Ltd. connected with RBC and has successfully bid on and won several engineering projects.

For more than 100 years, RBC has helped strengthen communities and generate wealth for First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples across Canada. RBC continues to work closely with Aboriginal communities with the shared goal of making a positive difference.

The 2012 RBC Aboriginal Partnership Report is available online at www.rbcroyalbank.com/aboriginal.

For further information, please contact:

Angela Gordon, RBC Corporate Communications, 905-816-5650

Kathy Bevan, RBC Media Relations, 416-974-8810

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